The State Government would take up the matter for enhancing the budget for maintenance of border roads in the State with the Union Ministry of Road and Surface Transport so that adequate funds could be made available for improvement of these roads of strategic importance. Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur stated this while presiding over the meeting with senior officers of Border Road Organization (BRO), here today.He said that presently, there were five national highways in the state with total length of 570 kilometres and one ‘in principle’ national highway (Tandi to Sansari Nallah of 172 kms. length) with the BRO. These highways pass through strategic importance and tribal areas of the State and are linked with various state roads maintained by the State Public Works Department.Jai Ram Thakur said that usually the condition of these roads deteriorates during the months of winter and requires constant repairs and maintenance so as to facilitate the tourists and general commuters for which adequate funds were required. He said that similarly bridges on these roads also need immediate repair and improvement.
The Chief Minister urged the BRO officials to ensure completion of Rohtang tunnel by November this year to ensure round the year connectivity in landlocked Lahaul valley. Agriculture and Tribal Development Minister Dr. Ram Lal Markanda while expressing concern over the condition of roads maintained by the BRO urged the authorities to ensure their time-bound maintenance so that people of the tribal areas of the State do not face any inconvenience due to poor road conditions.Director General, Border Roads Lt. General Harpal Singh, AVSM, VSM assured the Chief Minister that the organization would ensure time bound completion of Rohtang tunnel besides other improvement works. He said that Samdho-Kaza-Gramphu road would be improved on priority keeping in view its strategic importance.Additional Chief Secretary Dr. Shrikant Baldi, Chief Engineer, Project Deepak, Shimla Brig. D.K. Tyagi, SM, Deputy Commissioner Kullu Dr. Richa Verma, Engineer in Chief PWD R.K. Verma, Staff Officer Lt. Col. Dushyant Patil, Staff Officer Lt. Col. Rohit Jalwi and other officers were present on the occasion.